New Haven Independent

Recession Doesn’t Scare Them

by Paul Bass | January 2, 2009 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Curtis Packer and Bill Readey bought a struggling downtown coffee shop with plans to pump money into an expansion.

That’s right. In the midst of a recession.

On Dec. 18 they took over Koffee? on Orange, near the corner of Orange and Chapel, one of the cozy “third place” caffeinated hangouts that sprang up around town over the past decade. They’re renaming it “Brū.” They plan to add freshly made lunch food to the menu, hire more staff, and increase hours.

“It’s a Christmas miracle,” one of the shop’s baristas said while pouring a mug of green tea.

Last month Packer, who ran restaurants (such as Sloppy Jose’s) in an earlier life, noticed during one of his regular coffee pit stops that the shop started closing at 1:30 p.m. He also noticed that the place continued to draw a steady stream of customers.

He and partner Readey were convinced that building on the shop’s bedrock specialty coffee selection could revive the joint’s fortunes.

“I got mad that this place was closing earlier and earlier each day,” recalled Packer, who with Readey runs a paralegal service and a government-filing company two blocks up on Elm Street. “I talked to Duncan [Goodall, the owner, who also runs Koffee? on Audubon]. I He said, ‘Put your money where your mouth is.’ I said, ‘OK.’”

“The recession doesn’t scare me,” Packer said over a cup of (what else?) coffee the other morning, while a Beatles mix pumped “Mother Nature’s Son” and “Rocky Raccoon” through the shop.

Packer (at left in photo), who’s 52, recalls coming home and telling his wife he’d bought a coffee shop.

“She said, ‘You should call it Brū. She gave me the spelling. Every woman I talk to loves that name!” Packer said. “I don’t know why.”

“I was shooting for the ‘Regal Bagel,’” Readey (at right in photo) half-grumbled.

“The only place we’re having an argument,” Packer said, “is whether to put Ozzy on” the sound system.

Packer votes yes, Readey, no. “We’re still fighting about it,” Readey said. “I think [the music] angers as many people as it makes happy.”

Otherwise, the two agree on a plan of action. They increased the hours, now 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, 8-6 on Saturdays. They kept the existing five staffers, upped their hours. They plan to hire more, replace one of the two display cases with a second counter, to move orders faster. They’re redesigning the cozy space by the front window with easy chairs, a rug, maybe a bookcase.

Readey, who’s 28, once worked in the shop, back when it was called Moka. A guitarist for the band M.T. Bearington (before, that, Pencilgrass), he envisions adding a space for local labels to sell CDs and records. They’re inviting local artists to display and sell work on the walls. “We’ve got enough space. Even sculptors can exhibit,” Packer said.

A key addition will be soups, sandwiches and salads freshly made during the day. No burgers. (“We’ll leave for Tony at Orangeside” next door, Packer said.)

Asked if they’re banking on this corner of downtown coming back, Packer replied, “It never left.” It has a steady stream of downtown office workers, as well as a growing roster of apartment dwellers. They do hope that the construction of the “360 State” project on the old Shartenberg lot next door will bring new business.

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Comments

Posted by: Becky | January 2, 2009 11:46 AM

Yey! I loved the food at Moka, I'm glad to hear that Bru will bring it back. My favorite was the "Moka Meateater" but I also enjoyed the Stack - ever since they dropped the food I've been going less and less.

Posted by: Westvillian | January 2, 2009 12:10 PM

I like the new name too! Just please, please, please keep the wonderful quiches. They're gigantic and the best I've ever had!

Posted by: Walt | January 2, 2009 1:07 PM

Readey was right, "Regal Bagel" is a better name as I see it.

Bru is too "artsy-fartsy" for me, but maybe suits those whom they plan to lure.

Ignore my opinion, as I can't even figure out where the "corner of Orange and State" is, if I wanted to find the joint.

[Note: Thanks Walt. I fixed it to Orange and Chapel. --Editor]

Posted by: Steve Ross, Human | January 2, 2009 2:22 PM

I second 'Regal Bagel'.

Posted by: Ctscoots | January 3, 2009 11:33 AM

Bring back the Aztekas!

Posted by: ParkStTaxPayer | January 4, 2009 4:26 PM

I hope the new name doesn't create confusion like 116 Crown and Prime 16 have experienced; the name is very similar to BAR's Bru Room.

I'm glad no baristas will be losing their jobs, and that this downtown institution will be staying! Local is better only when it's a quality product though, so I'm glad to hear new money and new ideas will be going into a tried and true place!

Posted by: Friend of Bru | January 5, 2009 1:50 PM

Hooray for Bru! I wish you all the best of luck and success! I am truly looking forward to being a part of the new and improved location.
Peace

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | January 5, 2009 3:42 PM

Yes, it is better, but Regal Bagel is patently chauvinistic. I'm not sure why no one has seen this yet.

To be more inclusive and to ensure we don't offend, I suggest something like Gender-indeterminate Aristocratic Bagels.

Posted by: eddie | January 6, 2009 10:52 AM

Would love to see a 90s-style coffeehouse (e.g., Daily Cafe & Cafe Diesel). Coffee has gotten so yuppified. I'd love to see a coffee shop that stays open late, has live music and edgy art.

Posted by: Readey | January 8, 2009 5:17 AM

aristocratic bagel is good, but I fail to see the relation with 70's cabel or with the late great Mr. Ritter (RIP). As far as bru being yuppified, perhaps you should try a more hip venue for your morning entertainment. I hear D&D makes a sweet french vanilla, light and sweet large coffee at a price you would pay $1.75 for. If worst comes to worst you could travel to the Forbidden City for a fresh brewed Seattle based Caramel Macchiato. Commoners get executed, Capitalism welcome.

90's style eh? .... well I own some flanal ..... I have an Alice n Chains Record.... and if I look hard enough, I think I could find an acoustic guiar.....I occasionally hate myself for being so spoiled..... j/k I love that stuff too... We are working out a deal with Safety Meeting Records and several other independant musicians and (with luck and cooperation) the shop will be open for performances within the year as well as have open wall space for all painters, sculpters...etc. that need a public showcase and a retail spot. [brucafe@live.com]

Anyways, lots of changes to come. Good times, Good food, Good Coffee, Good Conversation, Good Riddance.......

Recession Doesn’t Scare Them

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